Parent’s perception on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A focus group discussion study

Abstract

The aim of the study was to explore the parental perception on Autism Spectrum Disorder using Focus Group Discussion (FGD). 41 participants were included in the study, who were parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The participant’s children aged from 3 to12 years and were receiving Speech and language intervention. The study comprises of three phases. Phase I include the development of guides/ questions from literature review, content validation was done. In phase II Focused Group Discussion were carried out for parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and in phase III Thematic analysis was done. Parental knowledge on Autism spectrum disorder; their views and perspectives, communication modalities used by their children were explored. Parents reported that their children showed inappropriate emotions and behaviors but during Focus Group Discussion few parents helped other and advised them regarding the coping strategies used to manage their ASD child. The author also gave some recommendations to the parents/caregivers for the same. Knowledge about child’s social relationship and pragmatic skills in his/her communicative environment and various treatment options available for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) were also explored using Focus Group Discussion. Throughout FGD parent’s gained knowledge, on usage of different strategies, available treatment options, environmental modifications and approaches used by parent’s and found to have a better outcome. Thereby it helped parents to reduce child’s inappropriate behavior in social situations and to facilitate communication and improved their positive attitude towards their children.